Removable shoe lace replacement overlay and method of using same

ABSTRACT

A shoe lace replacement overlay system, including a shoe, wherein the shoe includes a shoe base, a shoe lace region located adjacent to the shoe base, a notch area/tongue opening located adjacent to the shoe lace region such that the notch area/tongue opening includes an elastic member/shoe tightener for retaining the shoe on a foot of a wearer, and a plurality of a first shoe replacement overlay attachments located in a periphery around the shoe lace region; and a shoe lace replacement overlay having a top side and a bottom, wherein the top side of the shoe lace replacement overlay includes a shoe lace replacement overlay base having a first edge and a second edge, a plurality of eyelet strips located along the first and second edges, a plurality of eyelets located along a length of each of the plurality of eyelet strips, and wherein the bottom side of the shoe lace replacement overlay includes a plurality of a second shoe replacement overlay attachments such that the first shoe replacement overlay attachments and the second shoe replacement overlay attachments interact with each other in order to retain the shoe lace replacement overlay on the shoe lace region.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation-in-part application whichclaims benefit to Provisional Application No. 62/447,420, entitled“Removable Shoe Lace Replacement Overlay and Method of Using Same”,filed on Jan. 17, 2017. The application stated above is herebyincorporated by reference as if set forth in its entirety herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to a removable shoe lacereplacement overlay, and more particularly to a shoe lace replacementoverlay that is capable of being removed and replaced in order toprovide a variety of shoe lace color and/or design combinations withoutthe need to remove the shoe laces from the shoe and methods of using theremovable shoe lace replacement overlay.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the present invention, as set forth in general terms above andmore specifically below, it is known, to employ various types of shoeoverlays, spats or saddles. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,394,803 byGoldstein, U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,321 by Tonkel, U.S. Pat. No. 6,212,797 byMerry et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,408,542 by Shepherd, U.S. Pat. No.7,441,348 by Dawson, and U.S. Patent Application Publication2004/0128862 by Flack. While these various shoe overlays, spats orsaddles may have been generally satisfactory, there is nevertheless aneed for a new and improved shoe lace replacement overlay that iscapable of being removed and replaced in order to provide a variety ofshoe lace color and/or design combinations without the need to removethe shoe laces from the shoe and methods of using the removable shoelace replacement overlay.

It is a purpose of this invention to fulfill these and other needs inthe shoe lace replacement overlay art in a manner more apparent to theskilled artisan once given the following disclosure.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention is a shoe lace replacementoverlay system, including a shoe, wherein the shoe includes a shoe base,a shoe lace region located adjacent to the shoe base, a notcharea/tongue opening located adjacent to the shoe lace region such thatthe notch area/tongue opening includes an elastic member/shoe tightenerfor retaining the shoe on a foot of a wearer, and a plurality of a firstshoe replacement overlay attachments located in a periphery around theshoe lace region; and a shoe lace replacement overlay having a top sideand a bottom, wherein the top side of the shoe lace replacement overlayincludes a shoe lace replacement overlay base having a first edge and asecond edge, a plurality of eyelet strips located along the first andsecond edges, a plurality of eyelets located along a length of each ofthe plurality of eyelet strips, and wherein the bottom side of the shoelace replacement overlay includes a plurality of a second shoereplacement overlay attachments such that the first shoe replacementoverlay attachments and the second shoe replacement overlay attachmentsinteract with each other in order to retain the shoe lace replacementoverlay on the shoe lace region.

In one embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, thefirst shoe replacement overlay attachments are further comprised of hookand loop fasteners.

In another embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, thesecond shoe replacement overlay attachments are further comprised ofhook and loop fasteners.

In a still another embodiment of the first aspect of the presentinvention, the shoe lace replacement overlay includes a tab operativelyconnected to a first end of the shoe lace replacement overlay.

In a yet another embodiment of the first aspect of the presentinvention, the shoe lace replacement overlay base is constructed of anysuitable, durable material such as leather, vinyl or any other suitablestretchable material.

In a further embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention,the eyelet strips are constructed of any suitable, durable material suchas leather, vinyl or any other suitable stretchable material.

In a still further embodiment of the first aspect of the presentinvention, the shoe lace replacement overlay includes a shoe lace suchthat portions of the shoe lace are located within the eyelets in orderto form the shoe lace in a desired pattern.

In an even further embodiment of the first aspect of the presentinvention, the shoe lace replacement overlay includes a decorativeattachment located on the top side of the shoe lace overlay.

A second aspect of the present invention is a shoe having a shoe lacereplacement overlay system, including a shoe, wherein the shoe includesa shoe base, a shoe lace region located adjacent to the shoe base, anotch area/tongue opening located adjacent to the shoe lace region suchthat the notch area/tongue opening includes an elastic member/shoetightener for retaining the shoe on a foot of a wearer, and a pluralityof a first shoe replacement overlay attachments located in a peripheryaround the shoe lace region; and a shoe lace replacement overlay havinga top side and a bottom, wherein the top side of the shoe lacereplacement overlay includes a shoe lace replacement overlay base havinga first edge and a second edge, a plurality of eyelet strips locatedalong the first and second edges, a plurality of eyelets located along alength of each of the plurality of eyelet strips, and wherein the bottomside of the shoe lace replacement overlay includes a plurality of asecond shoe replacement overlay attachments such that the first shoereplacement overlay attachments and the second shoe replacement overlayattachments interact with each other in order to retain the shoe lacereplacement overlay on the shoe lace region.

In one embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, thefirst shoe replacement overlay attachments are further comprised of hookand loop fasteners.

In another embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, thesecond shoe replacement overlay attachments are further comprised ofhook and loop fasteners.

In a still another embodiment of the second aspect of the presentinvention, the shoe lace replacement overlay includes a tab operativelyconnected to a first end of the shoe lace replacement overlay.

In a yet another embodiment of the second aspect of the presentinvention, the shoe lace replacement overlay base is constructed of anysuitable, durable material such as leather, vinyl or any other suitablestretchable material.

In a further embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention,the eyelet strips are constructed of any suitable, durable material suchas leather, vinyl or any other suitable stretchable material.

In a still further embodiment of the second aspect of the presentinvention, the shoe lace replacement overlay includes a shoe lace suchthat portions of the shoe lace are located within the eyelets in orderto form the shoe lace in a desired pattern.

In an even further embodiment of the second aspect of the presentinvention, the shoe lace replacement overlay includes a decorativeattachment located on the top side of the shoe lace overlay.

A third aspect of the present invention is a method of constructing ashoe having shoe lace replacement overlay system, including providing ashoe, wherein the shoe includes a shoe base, a shoe lace region locatedadjacent to the shoe base, a notch area/tongue opening located adjacentto the shoe lace region such that the notch area/tongue opening includesan elastic member/shoe tightener for retaining the shoe on a foot of awearer, and a plurality of a first shoe replacement overlay attachmentslocated in a periphery around the shoe lace region; providing a shoelace replacement overlay having a top side and a bottom, wherein the topside of the shoe lace replacement overlay includes a shoe lacereplacement overlay base having a first edge and a second edge, aplurality of eyelet strips located along the first and second edges, aplurality of eyelets located along a length of each of the plurality ofeyelet strips, and wherein the bottom side of the shoe lace replacementoverlay includes a plurality of a second shoe replacement overlayattachments such that the first shoe replacement overlay attachments andthe second shoe replacement overlay attachments interact with each otherin order to retain the shoe lace replacement overlay on the shoe laceregion; and attaching the bottom side of the shoe lace replacementoverlay to the shoe such that the shoe lace replacement overlaysubstantially covers the shoe lace region and the notch area/tongueopening.

In one embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention, themethod of constructing a shoe having a shoe lace replacement overlaysystem includes the step of placing a shoe lace through the plurality ofeyelets in a desired lacing pattern.

In another embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention, themethod of constructing a shoe having a shoe lace replacement overlaysystem includes the step of using a tab, operatively connected to afirst end of the shoe lace replacement overlay, to remove the shoe lacereplacement overlay from the shoe.

In a further embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention,the method of constructing a shoe having a shoe lace replacement overlaysystem includes the step of placing a decorative attachment located onthe top side of the shoe lace replacement overlay.

The preferred shoe lace replacement overlay, according to variousembodiments of the present invention, offers the following advantages:ease of use of the shoe lace replacement overlay; lightness in weight;the ability to quickly change from one shoe lace replacement overlay toanother; the ability to use a variety of different shoe lace colors; theability to use a variety of different shoe lace overlay designs;excellent durability; portability; and cost efficiency. In fact, in manyof the preferred embodiments, these advantages are optimized to anextent that is considerably higher than heretofore achieved in prior,known shoe overlays, spats or saddles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features and steps of the invention and the mannerof attaining them will become apparent, and the invention itself will bebest understood by reference to the following description of theembodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like characters represent like parts throughout theseveral views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a shoe having a shoe lacereplacement overlay, constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a top view of the shoe lacereplacement overlay of FIG. 1, constructed according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a bottom view of the shoe lacereplacement overlay of FIG. 1, constructed according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a shoe having another embodimentof a shoe lace replacement overlay, constructed according to the presentinvention; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a top view of the shoe lacereplacement overlay of FIG. 4, constructed according to the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a shoe lace replacementoverlay system 100 that is constructed according to the presentinvention. Shoe lace replacement overlay system 100 includes, in part,shoe 101 and shoe lace replacement overlay 110. As will be explainedhereinafter in greater detail, the shoe lace replacement overlay 110 iscapable of being removed and replaced in order to provide a variety ofshoe lace color and design combinations without the need to remove theshoe laces from the shoe 101.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, shoe 101 includes, in part,shoe base 150, shoe lace region 151, notch area/tongue opening 153,elastic member/shoe tightener 155, and shoe replacement overlayattachments 157. It is to be understood that elastic member/shoetightener 155 is located within notch area/tongue opening 153 and is aconventional elastic member that can be used instead of laces (notshown) to assist in keeping the shoe 101 upon the wearer's foot.

With respect to shoe replacement overlay attachments 157, shoereplacement overlay attachments 157 can be, but are not limited to, ahook-and-loop (e.g., a VELCRO® brand) fastener, snaps, zipper, hooks,magnets or any other suitable, durable attachment means. It is to beeven further understood that shoe replacement overlay attachments 157are conventionally attached to shoe base 150 by any suitable techniquessuch as by adhesives.

With respect to shoe lace replacement overlay 110, shoe lace replacementoverlay 110 includes, in part, shoe lace replacement overlay base 111,eyelet strips 113, laces 115, tab or loop 117, and eyelets 119. It is tobe understood that shoe lace replacement overlay base 111 can beconstructed of any suitable, durable material such as leather, vinyl orany other suitable stretchable material. However, it is to be furtherunderstood that shoe lace replacement overlay base 111, eyelet strips113 and shoe base 150 should be constructed of substantially the samematerial. It is to be even further understood that eyelets 119 can beconstructed of any suitable, durable material such as polymeric ormetallic materials.

Regarding laces 115, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, laces 115 can beconstructed of any suitable, durable material such as cotton, polymericmaterial, or leather. It is to be understood that the lacing pattern oflaces 115 can be varied depending upon the desires of the wearer. Aunique inventive concept of the present invention is that the laces 115may be colored to represent, for example, the colors of the wearer'sfavorite sports team or the colors of the wearer's sports team. Also,the lacing pattern of laces 115 can be varied. For example, assume thatthe wearer is a cheerleader. The wearer's high school team colors areblue and yellow. In this example, the wearer wears a yellow cheerleadingoutfit for away sporting events and laces the laces 115 in a particularpattern for away sporting events. For home sporting events, the wearerwears a blue cheerleading outfit and laces the laces 115 in a differentpattern for home sporting events. The present invention allows thewearer to use a shoe lace replacement overlay 110 that includes laces115 that are yellow and laced in a first pattern for away sportingevents and another shoe lace replacement overlay 110 that has blue laces115 and laced in a different pattern for home sporting events withouthaving to remove the laces 115 from the shoe lace replacement overlay110. As will be discussed in greater detail later, the wearer simplyattaches the desired shoe lace replacement overlay 110 depending uponwhether the sporting event that she is going to attend is either home oraway.

Regarding eyelet strips 113, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, eyelet strips113 are conventionally formed on shoe lace replacement overlay base 111by well-known strip folding/forming techniques. The important pointbeing that eyelet strips 113 must be wide enough to provide the properamount of material to properly retain eyelets 119 within eyelet strips113 and still somewhat resemble the top of a conventionally tied shoe.

Regarding tab or loop 117, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, tab or loop 117 isused to easily remove shoe lace replacement overlay 110 from the shoelace region 151 and shoe replacement overlay attachments 157. As will bediscussed in greater detail later, tab or loop 117 should be constructedso that the wearer can easily grip tab or loop 117. It is to beunderstood that tab or loop 117 should be constructed of any suitable,durable material such as leather, vinyl or heavy-duty elastic so thatthe finger of the wearer can easily fit in the tab or lop 117 in orderto remove shoe lace replacement overlay 110 from shoe lace region 151and shoe replacement overlay attachments 157.

With respect to FIG. 3, there is illustrated the back side of shoe lacereplacement overlay 110. As shown in FIG. 3, the back side of shoe lacereplacement overlay 110 includes, in part, a plurality of shoereplacement overlay attachments 121 a, 121 b, and 121 c. Shoereplacement overlay attachments 121 a, 121 b, and 121 c can be, but arenot limited to, a hook-and-loop (e.g., a VELCRO® brand) fastener, snaps,zipper, hooks, magnets or any other suitable, durable attachment means.It is to be understood that shoe replacement overlay attachments 121 a,121 b, and 121 c are conventionally attached to shoe lace replacementoverlay base 111 by any suitable techniques such as adhesives. It is tobe further understood that shoe replacement overlay attachments 121 a,121 b, and 121 c must be able to properly connect to shoe replacementoverlay attachments 157. For example, if shoe replacement overlayattachments 121 a, 121 b, and 121 c are constructed of Velcro® then theshoe replacement overlay attachments 157 must also be constructed ofVelcro® such that shoe replacement overlay attachments 121 a, 121 b, and121 c can properly attach to shoe replacement overlay attachments 157.This is another unique aspect of the present invention in that the useof shoe replacement overlay attachments 121 a, 121 b, and 121 c and shoereplacement overlay attachments 157 allow the wearer to quickly andeasily remove and replace shoe lace replacement overlay 110.

Regarding tab or loop 117, as shown in FIG. 3, tab or loop 117 isconventionally attached to the back side of shoe lace replacementoverlay 110 at tab attachment 123. It is to be understood that tab orloop 117 can be constructed such that tab or loop 117 includes tabattachment 123 so that tab or loop 117 can be easily attached to shoelace replacement overlay 110.

In an alternative embodiment, overlay attachments 121 a, 121 b, and 121c may be continuous, such as being a single piece or abutting next toeach other. Also, the overlay attachments 121 a, 121 b, 121 c and 157may be constructed to be water-resistant or waterproof when attached.Also, shoe 101 and overlay base 111 may be made of a water-resistant orwaterproof material. Therefore, when overlay attachments 121 a, 121 b,121 c of overlay base 111 are securely attached to overlay attachment157, it makes the shoe water-resistant or waterproof up to the top ofthe overlay 110. This covers the notch/tongue opening preventing waterfrom entering the shoe 101. This is an improvement over conventionalshoes which only have a tongue which is not attached on its sides andhas openings on both sides of the tongue which leak.

With respect to FIG. 4, there is illustrated another shoe lacereplacement overlay system 200 that is constructed according to thepresent invention. Shoe lace replacement overlay system 200 includes, inpart, shoe 101 and shoe lace replacement overlay 210. It is to beunderstood that shoe lace replacement overlay system 200 is constructedin substantially the same manner as shoe lace replacement overlay system101 except for the use of shoe lace replacement overlay 210. As will bediscussed later, shoe lace replacement overlay 210 does not include anylaces.

With respect to shoe lace replacement overlay 210, shoe lace replacementoverlay 210 includes, in part, shoe lace replacement overlay base 211,eyelet strips 213, tab or loop 217, eyelets 219 and decoration 221. Itis to be understood that shoe lace replacement overlay base 211 can beconstructed of any suitable, durable material such as leather, vinyl orany other suitable stretchable material. However, it is to be furtherunderstood that shoe lace replacement overlay base 211, eyelet strips213 and shoe base 150 should be constructed of substantially the samematerial. It is to be even further understood that eyelets 219 can beconstructed of any suitable, durable material such as polymeric ormetallic materials.

Regarding eyelet strips 213, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, eyelet strips213 are conventionally formed on shoe lace replacement overlay base 211by well-known strip folding/forming techniques. The important pointbeing that eyelet strips 213 must be wide enough to provide the properamount of material to properly retain eyelets 219 within eyelet strips213 and still somewhat resemble the top of a conventionally tied shoe.

Regarding tab or loop 217, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, tab or loop 217 isused to easily remove shoe lace replacement overlay 210 from the shoelace region 151 and shoe replacement overlay attachments 157. As will bediscussed in greater detail later, tab or loop 217 should be constructedso that the wearer can easily grip tab or loop 217. It is to beunderstood that tab or loop 217 should be constructed of any suitable,durable material such as leather, vinyl or heavy-duty elastic so thatthe finger of the wearer can easily fit in the tab or lop 217 in orderto remove shoe lace replacement overlay 210 from shoe lace region 151and shoe replacement overlay attachments 157.

Regarding the back side of shoe lace replacement overlay 210, the backside of shoe lace replacement overlay 210 is constructed in the samemanner as the back side of shoe lace replacement overlay 110.

With respect to FIGS. 4 and 5, another unique inventive aspect of thepresent invention is that shoe lace replacement overlay 210 does notinclude laces. It is to be understood that shoe lace replacement overlay210 can include a variety of decorative attachments 221 such as labels,decorations, decals, logos, stickers or the like. In this manner, shoelace replacement overlay 210 can be quickly and easily replaced withanother different shoe lace replacement overlay 210 depending upon thedecorative attachment that the wearer wishes to display on the shoe 101.

With reference now to FIGS. 1-5, the use of shoe lace replacementoverlays 110 and 210 will now be discussed. Initially, if the wearer isgoing to utilize the shoe lace replacement overlay 110, the wearer thendetermines the color of the laces 115 and possibly the design in whichthe laces 115 are to be laced in eyelets 119.

After the color and design of laces 115 have been determined, the wearersimply laces the desired colored laces 115 through eyelets 119 in thedesired lacing pattern.

Once the laces 115 have been laced in eyelets 119, the wearer thenattaches shoe lace replacement overlays 110 to the shoe 101 by locatingshoe lace replacement overlays 110 over shoe lace region 151 andattaching shoe replacement overlay attachments 121 a, 121 b, and 121 cto shoe replacement overlay attachments 157. It is to be understood thattab or loop 117 can then be used to easily and quickly remove shoe lacereplacement overlay 110 from shoe 101 if the wearer determines that adifferent shoe lace replacement overlay 110 is to be attached to shoe101

If the wearer is going to utilize the shoe lace replacement overlay 210,the wearer then determines the decorative attachments that are to beattached to shoe lace replacement overlay base 211.

After the decorative attachments have been determined, the wearer mayconventionally apply the decorative attachments or simply select theshoe lace replacement overlay 210 that includes the desired decorativeattachment.

Once the decorative attachments have been attached or the desired shoelace replacement overlay 210 that includes the desired decorativeattachment has been selected, the wearer then locates shoe lacereplacement overlays 110 over shoe lace region 151 and attaches shoelace replacement overlays 210 to the shoe 101 by attaching shoereplacement overlay attachments 121 a, 121 b, and 121 c (FIG. 1) to shoereplacement overlay attachments 157. It is to be understood that tab orloop 217 can then be used to easily and quickly remove shoe lacereplacement overlay 210 from shoe 101 if the wearer determines that adifferent shoe lace replacement overlay 210 is to be attached to shoe101.

The preceding merely illustrates the principles of the invention. Itwill thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able todevise various arrangements which, although not explicitly described orshown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are includedwithin its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples and conditionallanguage recited herein are principally intended expressly to be onlyfor pedagogical purposes and to aid the reader in understanding theprinciples of the invention and the concepts contributed by theinventors to furthering the art, and are to be construed as beingwithout limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions.Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, andembodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, areintended to encompass both structural and functional equivalentsthereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include bothcurrently known equivalents and equivalents developed in the future,i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardlessof structure.

This description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to be read inconnection with the figures of the accompanying drawing, which are to beconsidered part of the entire written description. In the description,relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,”“above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well asderivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,”etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then describedor as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms arefor convenience of description and do not require that the apparatus beconstructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms concerningattachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and“interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are securedor attached to one another either directly or indirectly throughintervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments orrelationships, unless expressly described otherwise.

All patents, publications, scientific articles, web sites, and otherdocuments and materials referenced or mentioned herein are indicative ofthe levels of skill of those skilled in the art to which the inventionpertains, and each such referenced document and material is herebyincorporated by reference to the same extent as if it had beenincorporated by reference in its entirety individually or set forthherein in its entirety. Applicants reserve the right to physicallyincorporate into this specification any and all materials andinformation from any such patents, publications, scientific articles,web sites, electronically available information, and other referencedmaterials or documents to the extent such incorporated materials andinformation are not inconsistent with the description herein.

The written description portion of this patent includes all claims.Furthermore, all claims, including all original claims as well as allclaims from any and all priority documents, are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety into the written description portion of thespecification, and Applicant(s) reserve the right to physicallyincorporate into the written description or any other portion of theapplication, any and all such claims. Thus, for example, under nocircumstances may the patent be interpreted as allegedly not providing awritten description for a claim on the assertion that the precisewording of the claim is not set forth in written description portion ofthe patent.

The claims will be interpreted according to law. However, andnotwithstanding the alleged or perceived ease or difficulty ofinterpreting any claim or portion thereof, under no circumstances mayany adjustment or amendment of a claim or any portion thereof duringprosecution of the application or applications leading to this patent beinterpreted as having forfeited any right to any and all equivalentsthereof that do not form a part of the prior art.

It is to be understood that while the invention has been described inconjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoingdescription is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of theinvention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Thus,from the foregoing, it will be appreciated that, although specificembodiments of the invention have been described herein for the purposeof illustration, various modifications may be made without deviatingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. Other aspects, advantages,and modifications are within the scope of the following claims and thepresent invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.

The specific methods and compositions described herein arerepresentative of preferred embodiments and are exemplary and notintended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Other objects,aspects, and embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art uponconsideration of this specification, and are encompassed within thespirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the claims. It willbe readily apparent to one skilled in the art that varying substitutionsand modifications may be made to the invention disclosed herein withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention. The inventionillustratively described herein suitably may be practiced in the absenceof any element or elements, or limitation or limitations, which is notspecifically disclosed herein as essential. Thus, for example, in eachinstance herein, in embodiments or examples of the present invention,the terms “comprising”, “including”, “containing”, etc. are to be readexpansively and without limitation. The methods and processesillustratively described herein suitably may be practiced in differingorders of steps, and that they are not necessarily restricted to theorders of steps indicated herein or in the claims.

The terms and expressions that have been employed are used as terms ofdescription and not of limitation, and there is no intent in the use ofsuch terms and expressions to exclude any equivalent of the featuresshown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized thatvarious modifications are possible within the scope of the invention asclaimed. Thus, it will be understood that although the present inventionhas been specifically disclosed by various embodiments and/or preferredembodiments and optional features, any and all modifications andvariations of the concepts herein disclosed that may be resorted to bythose skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of thisinvention as defined by the appended claims.

The invention has been described broadly and generically herein. Each ofthe narrower species and sub-generic groupings falling within thegeneric disclosure also form part of the invention. This includes thegeneric description of the invention with a proviso or negativelimitation removing any subject matter from the genus, regardless ofwhether or not the excised material is specifically recited herein.

It is also to be understood that as used herein and in the appendedclaims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referenceunless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the term “X and/or Y”means “X” or “Y” or both “X” and “Y”, and the letter “s” following anoun designates both the plural and singular forms of that noun. Inaddition, where features or aspects of the invention are described interms of Markush groups, it is intended and those skilled in the artwill recognize, that the invention embraces and is also therebydescribed in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members ofthe Markush group.

Other embodiments are within the following claims. Therefore, the patentmay not be interpreted to be limited to the specific examples orembodiments or methods specifically and/or expressly disclosed herein.Under no circumstances may the patent be interpreted to be limited byany statement made by any Examiner or any other official or employee ofthe Patent and Trademark Office unless such statement is specificallyand without qualification or reservation expressly adopted in aresponsive writing by Applicants.

Although the invention has been described in terms of exemplaryembodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claimsshould be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodimentsof the invention, which may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope and range of equivalents of the invention.

Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled inthe art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the inventionas claimed. Accordingly, the description hereinabove is not intended tolimit the invention, except as indicated in the appended claims.

Therefore, provided herein are a new and improved shoe lace replacementoverlay. The preferred shoe lace replacement overlay, according tovarious embodiments of the present invention, offers the followingadvantages: ease of use of the shoe lace replacement overlay; lightnessin weight; the ability to quickly change from one shoe lace replacementoverlay to another; the ability to use a variety of different shoe lacecolors; the ability to use a variety of different shoe lace overlaydesigns; excellent durability; portability; and cost efficiency. Infact, in many of the preferred embodiments, these advantages of ease ofuse of the shoe lace replacement overlay, lightness in weight, theability to quickly change from one shoe lace replacement overlay toanother, the ability to use a variety of different shoe lace colors, theability to use a variety of different shoe lace overlay designs,excellent durability, portability, and cost efficiency are optimized toan extent that is considerably higher than heretofore achieved in prior,known shoe overlays, spats or saddles.

I claim:
 1. A shoe lace replacement overlay system, comprising: a shoe,wherein the shoe includes a shoe base, a shoe lace region locatedadjacent to the shoe base, a notch area/tongue opening located adjacentto the shoe lace region such that the notch area/tongue opening includesan elastic member shoe tightener for retaining the shoe on a foot of awearer, and a plurality of a first shoe replacement overlay attachmentslocated on a periphery around the shoe lace region; and a shoe lacereplacement overlay having a top side and a bottom side, wherein the topside of the shoe lace replacement overlay includes a shoe lacereplacement overlay base having a first edge and a second edge, aplurality of eyelet strips located along the first and second edges, anda plurality of eyelets located along a length of each of the pluralityof eyelet strips, and wherein the bottom side of the shoe lacereplacement overlay includes a plurality of a second shoe replacementoverlay attachments such that the first shoe replacement overlayattachments and the second shoe replacement overlay attachments interactwith each other in order to retain the shoe lace replacement overlay onthe shoe lace region.
 2. The shoe lace replacement overlay system,according to claim 1, wherein the first shoe replacement overlayattachments are further comprised of: hook and loop fasteners.
 3. Theshoe lace replacement overlay system, according to claim 1, wherein thesecond shoe replacement overlay attachments are further comprised of:hook and loop fasteners.
 4. The shoe lace replacement overlay system,according to claim 1, wherein the shoe lace replacement overlay isfurther comprised of: a tab operatively connected to a first end of theshoe lace replacement overlay.
 5. The shoe lace replacement overlaysystem, according to claim 1, wherein the shoe lace replacement overlaybase is constructed of any suitable, durable material such as leather,vinyl or any other suitable stretchable material.
 6. The shoe lacereplacement overlay system, according to claim 1, wherein the eyeletstrips are constructed of any suitable, durable material such asleather, vinyl or any other suitable stretchable material.
 7. The shoelace replacement overlay system, according to claim 1, wherein the shoelace replacement overlay is further comprised of: a shoe lace such thatportions of the shoe lace are located within the eyelets in order toform the shoe lace in a desired pattern.
 8. The shoe lace replacementoverlay system, according to claim 1, wherein the shoe lace replacementoverlay is further comprised of: a decorative attachment located on thetop side of the shoe lace overlay.
 9. A shoe having a shoe lacereplacement overlay system, comprising: a shoe, wherein the shoeincludes a shoe base, a shoe lace region located adjacent to the shoebase, a notch area/tongue opening located adjacent to the shoe laceregion such that the notch area/tongue opening includes an elasticmember/shoe tightener for retaining the shoe on a foot of a wearer, anda plurality of a first shoe replacement overlay attachments located on aperiphery around the shoe lace region; and a shoe lace replacementoverlay having a top side and a bottom side, wherein the top side of theshoe lace replacement overlay includes a shoe lace replacement overlaybase having a first edge and a second edge, a plurality of eyelet stripslocated along the first and second edges, and a plurality of eyeletslocated along a length of each of the plurality of eyelet strips, andwherein the bottom side of the shoe lace replacement overlay includes aplurality of a second shoe replacement overlay attachments such that thefirst shoe replacement overlay attachments and the second shoereplacement overlay attachments interact with each other in order toretain the shoe lace replacement overlay on the shoe lace region. 10.The shoe, according to claim 9, wherein the first shoe replacementoverlay attachments are further comprised of: hook and loop fasteners.11. The shoe, according to claim 9, wherein the second shoe replacementoverlay attachments are further comprised of: hook and loop fasteners.12. The shoe, according to claim 9, wherein the shoe lace replacementoverlay is further comprised of: a tab operatively connected to a firstend of the shoe lace replacement overlay.
 13. The shoe, according toclaim 9, wherein the shoe lace replacement overlay base is constructedof any suitable, durable material such as leather, vinyl or any othersuitable stretchable material.
 14. The shoe, according to claim 9,wherein the eyelet strips are constructed of any suitable, durablematerial such as leather, vinyl or any other suitable stretchablematerial.
 15. The shoe, according to claim 9, wherein the shoe lacereplacement overlay is further comprised of: a shoe lace such thatportions of the shoe lace are located within the eyelets in order toform the shoe lace a desired pattern.
 16. The shoe, according to claim9, wherein the shoe lace replacement overlay is further comprised of: adecorative attachment located on the top side of the shoe lace overlay.17. A method of constructing a shoe having a shoe lace replacementoverlay system, comprising: providing a shoe, wherein the shoe includesa shoe base, a shoe lace region located adjacent to the shoe base, anotch area/tongue opening located adjacent to the shoe lace region suchthat the notch area/tongue opening includes an elastic member/shoetightener for retaining the shoe on a foot of a wearer, and a pluralityof a first shoe replacement overlay attachments located on a peripheryaround the shoe lace region; providing a shoe lace replacement overlayhaving a top side and a bottom side, wherein the top side of the shoelace replacement overlay includes a shoe lace replacement overlay basehaving a first edge and a second edge, a plurality of eyelet stripslocated along the first and second edges, and a plurality of eyeletslocated along a length of each of the plurality of eyelet strips, andwherein the bottom side of the shoe lace replacement overlay includes aplurality of a second shoe replacement overlay attachments such that thefirst shoe replacement overlay attachments and the second shoereplacement overlay attachments interact with each other in order toretain the shoe lace replacement overlay on the shoe lace region; andattaching the bottom side of the shoe lace replacement overlay to theshoe such that the shoe lace replacement overlay substantially coversthe shoe lace region and the notch area/tongue opening.
 18. The methodof constructing a shoe having a shoe lace replacement overlay system,according to claim 17, wherein the method is further comprised of thestep of: placing a shoe lace through the plurality of eyelets in adesired lacing pattern.
 19. The method of constructing a shoe having ashoe lace replacement overlay system, according to claim 17, wherein themethod is further comprised of the step of: using a tab, operativelyconnected to a first end of the shoe lace replacement overlay, to removethe shoe lace replacement overlay from the shoe.
 20. The method ofconstructing a shoe having a shoe lace replacement overlay system,according to claim 17, wherein the method is further comprised of thestep of: placing a decorative attachment located on the top side of theshoe lace replacement overlay.